Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shiftlock control
system. You must fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P).
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehiclefixed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release
Your vehicle is equipped with a shift lock release
system. It is designed to prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in PARK (P) (with the shift lever
button fully released).It also prevents the shift lever from moving out of
PARK (P) when the ignition is in OFF or in LOCK. The
shift lock release system is always functional except
in the case of a dead or low voltage (less than
9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there are two override access slots that will
allow you to override the shift lock release system.
Thefirst access slot is located underneath the steering
column below the lock cylinder. To use this slot, do
the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P) with the
shift lever button released.
2. Remove the override access slot cap, which will
then show the override mechanism release
button.
3. Insert a key or tool into the access slot and then
press in and hold the override mechanism release
button.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
6. Put the override access slot cap back on.
2-27
2003 - Regal OM
You will not be able to remove your key from the
ignition unless the shift lever is in PARK (P) with the
shift lever button fully released.
The second override
access slot is located on
the upper right side of
the console shift panel.
To use this slot, do the following:
1. Remove the override access slot cap.
2. Insert a key or tool into the access slot, press in
and hold the override mechanism release button.
3. Move the shift lever into the desired gear position.
4. Put the override access slot cap back on.Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
2-28
2003 - Regal OM
Convenience Net
Your vehicle has a convenience net located on the back
wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store those in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lieflat when
you’re not using it.
Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with an express-open
sunroof. It includes a sliding glass panel and a
sunshade.
The switch to open the sunroof is located overhead on
the headliner.The switch works only when the ignition is on or when
retained accessory power is active. See“Retained
Accessory Power”inIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
VENT:To raise the sunroof to the vent position only,
push and hold the front of the switch until the sunroof
glass stops. You will need to open the sunshade by hand.
To close the sunroof from the vent position, push and
hold the rear of the switch until the sunroof glass closes.
Open/Express Open:To open the sunroof, push the
rear of the switch once. The sunroof and sunshade will
open by themselves. This is the express-open feature.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the front of the
switch until the sunroof motor stops. The sunshade can
only be closed by hand.
2-36
2003 - Regal OM
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
•Push in the SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
•To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
driversfind this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal, or
•move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), your cruise control
set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
This control, located to the
left of the cluster on the
instrument panel, operates
the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
OFF:Pushing the control all the way in turns off all
lamps and lights.
3-10
2003 - Regal OM
Parking Lamps:Pulling the control out, halfway to the
first position, turns on the parking lamps together
with the following:
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
•Sidemarker Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps:Pulling the control out all the way, to the
second position, turns on the headlamps together
with the previously listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when you turn the ignition switch to OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY with the lamps on.
Daytime Running Lamps / Automatic
Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
•The ignition is on,
•the exterior lamps control is off and
•the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won’t be on. Your instrument panel won’tbe
lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will turn off and your vehicle’s headlamps
and parking lamps will turn on. The other lamps that
come on with your headlamps will also come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, your headlamps will go
off and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL and automatic
headlamp control off, set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start your vehicle. The
DRL, headlamps and parking lamps will stay off until
you release the parking brake.
3-11
2003 - Regal OM
To turn off the automatic headlamp feature when it’s
dark outside, move the exterior lamp control to the
parking lamp position. Your parking lamps will remain
illuminated and your headlamps will turn off. The
fog lamps will also be lit if they were on when you
switched to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Delayed Headlamps
Delayed headlamps illumination provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave your vehicle. The feature is
activated when your vehicle’s headlamps are on due
to the automatic headlamp control feature described
previously in this section, and when your vehicle’s
ignition is turned off. Your headlamps will then remain
on until the exterior lamps control is moved from OFF to
the parking lamp position or until a 90 second lighting
period has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamps control
in the parking lamp or headlamps position, the delayed
headlamps illumination cycle will not occur.
You can customize the vehicle to activate delayed
headlamps illumination when your vehicle’s ignition is
turned off under the conditions described above, or you
may choose not to activate this feature under any
conditions.You can turn the feature on and off when you perform
the following sequence:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch, cycle the exterior
lamps control on and then off two times.
4. Release the power door lock switch. These
operations must be carried out in a time period of
less than 10 seconds, followed by a delay period of
no more than 10 seconds.
5. Then, press and hold the power door unlock switch.
While holding the door unlock switch, turn the
exterior lamps control on and then off two times.
Release the power door unlock switch.
6. Release the power door unlock switch. These steps
must be carried out in a time period of less than
10 seconds.
After releasing the power door unlock switch, a single
chime will be heard if the delayed headlamp illumination
function has been disabled; two chimes will be heard
if the feature has been enabled. Disconnecting the
vehicle’s battery for up to a year will not change
the programmed operation for this feature.
3-12
2003 - Regal OM
Entry lighting includes a feature called theater dimming.
With theater dimming, the lamps don’t just turn off at
the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim after
the delay time until they go out. The delay time is
canceled if you turn the ignition key to RUN or START.
When the ignition is on, entry lighting is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won’t come on unless
a door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting lights your vehicle’s interior for a
period of time after all the doors have been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting
to work. Just after all the doors have been closed, the
delayed entry lighting feature will continue to work
until one of the following occurs:
•The ignition is in RUN, or
•the doors are locked, or
•an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates the interior for a period of time
after the ignition key is removed from the ignition.
The ignition must be off for delayed exit lighting to work.
When the ignition key is removed, interior illumination
will activate and remain on until one of the following
occurs:
•The ignition is in RUN, or
•the power door locks are activated, or
•an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened,
the timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on.
Perimeter Lighting
Perimeter lighting provides a period of exterior vehicle
lighting. Perimeter lighting is only activated when
the function is enabled, the doors are closed, the ignition
is in OFF and the security feedback feature is in
Mode 3 or 4. See“Security Feedback”underRemote
Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-4for
more information. The vehicle headlamps and back-up
lamps are then activated for a period of 25 seconds
or until the ignition switch is turned to RUN.
3-14
2003 - Regal OM
You may enable or disable the perimeter lighting feature
when the driver performs the following sequence with
the engine not running and the doors closed:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Apply your brakes.
4. Press and hold the power door lock switch. While
holding the door lock switch press and release the
panic button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
This will initialize the customization mode. While in the
customization mode, the feature will sound the number of
chimes corresponding to the current mode. In Mode 1,
one chime means the feature is disabled. In Mode 2, two
chimes signal that the perimeter lighting feature is
enabled. Each additional press will advance the mode by
one, starting from the current mode. During this
procedure, the feature will sound the number of chimes
corresponding to the mode. When the lock switch is
released, the vehicle will remain in the last mode.
Disconnecting the vehicle’s battery for up to a year will
not change the programmed operation for this feature.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the underside of the
rearview mirror.
Use the button next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor vanity
lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove box
lamps on. If you leave any of these lamps on, they will
automatically turn off after 20 minutes, if the ignition
is in OFF. The lamps won’t come back on again
until you do one of the following:
•Turn the ignition on,
•turn the exterior lamps control off, then on, or
•open a door.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can power electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 12-volt outlet. It is
located on the console, near thefloor on the
passenger’s side. Open the cover to use the outlet. Be
sure to close the cover when the outlet is not in use.
3-15
2003 - Regal OM